Multiple compartmented dispensing package



Sept. 14, 1965 R. J. HOFFMANN MULTIPLE COMPARTMENTED DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Sept. 18. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.

INVENTOR ROBERT J. HOFFMANN BY M @www l I y Ill ATTORNEYS Sept. 14, 1965 "R J, HOFFMANN 3,206,074

MULTIPLE COMPARTMENTED DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Sept. 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,lr/G 6 INVENTOR.

ROBERT J. HOFFMANN JM @MM/M A TTORNE YS United States Patent O 3,206,074 MULTIPLE CGMPARTMENTED DISPENSING PACKAGE Robert J. Ho'mann, North Arlington, NJ., assignor to Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 224,466 11 Claims. (Cl. 222-94) This invention relates to dispensing packages and methods, and in particular it relates to dispensing packages of the type wherein one or more collapsible containers are enclosed within a relatively rigid outer container.

In the invention one or more collapsible inner containers are permanently bonded to the relatively rigid wall of an outer container during, or sometimes before, introduction of the contents, and the containers become immovably connected during all subsequent operation such as packing, shipping and dispensing. The collapsible inner container is suspended when empty within the rigid outer container and expanded to bond its wall to that of the outer container.

It is the major object of this invention to provide a novel dispensing package wherein the wall of a normally collapsible filled inner container is permanently bonded to the Wall of a relatively rigid outer container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel dispensing package wherein a relatively rigid outer container encloses a plurality of thin-Walled normally collapsible inner containers which when filled mutually support each other with at least one inner container having its Wall bonded to the rigid outer container wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel dispensing package wherein the Wall of a normally collapsible inner container when filled becomes adhe-sively bonded to an enclosing relatively rigid outer container.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel multi-compartment dispensing package wherein a relatively rigid outer container encloses a plurality of normally collapsible inner containers that are suspended from the neck of said outer container and when illed become bonded to the wall of said outer container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multicompartment container structure having a novel top assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method of assembling a dispensing package wherein at least one normally collapsible inner container is mounted in empty suspended condition within a relatively rigid outer container and expanded, as by filling, into adhesive attachment with the outer container wall.

Further objects of the invention will appear presently in connection with the appended claims and the annexed drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a sectional View showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, particularly the mounting of inner containers on spouts rigid with the neck of the outer container;

FIGURE 2 is a section on line 2--2 of FIGURE l showing the arrangement of inner containers when expanded;

FIGURE 3 is a section on line 3 3 of FIGURE 1 showing a form of oriiice at the neck;

FIGURE 4 is a section on line 4-4 of FIGURE l showing the spout tube attachment to the neck;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view in section showing an embodiment wherein the top of the outer container is integral with the neck and the spout tube that supports a single collapsible inner container; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary View in section vshowing a further embodiment wherein concentric collapsible inner containers are provided.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the dispensing package comprises an outer container 11 and a plurality of, here two, inner containers 12 and 13.

Outer container 11 is non-collapsible, with a relatively rigid, preferably cylindrical side wall 14 having a continuously curved smooth inner surface 15.

Side wall 14 is a hollow tube preferably integrally formed of a paper laminate, molded pulp or like nonmetallic material which may be treated to be water resistant and is rigid enough to maintain a given shape during normal filling, shipping and other handling.

The open bottom of wall 14 is closed by a sheet metal or equivalently stiff plastic element 16 having its periphery crimped or otherwise formed at 17 to clench tightly around the lower edge of wall 14.

The open top of wall 14 carries a dish-shaped top element 18 which is preferably of sheet metal or stiff plastic like bottom element 16, and the outer periphery of top element 18 is similarly clenched or crimped at 19 around the upper edge of wall 14.

Top element 18 is annular, having a central opening 21 surrounded by a boss 22 surrounding a neck assembly 23 which is preferably a short length of relatively thickwalled polyethylene or like plastic having an external molded thread 24 and a smooth inner surface 25. Neck assembly 23 is rigidly secured within boss 22, as by adhesive and/or mechanical interlock of suitable construction. A suitable closure cap 26 is threadedly iitted onto neck 23, for removal when the package is used.

The inner containers 12 and 13 are preferably identical iexible thin-walled collapsible sacs of polyethylene or the like close-d at the bottom and having top rimmed openings 31 and 32 respectively.

Short rigid filling and discharge spout tubes 33 and 34, which are preferably relatively stiff thick-walled polyethylene tubes, have their inner ends inserted within openings 31 and 32 respectively, and the junctures sealed fluid tight whereby tube 33 constitutes the only outlet of container 12, and tube 34 constitutes the only outlet of container 13.

The outer ends of spout tubes 33 and 34 extend into neck 23 and as shown in FIGURE 4 they are adhesively or similarly rigidly attached to the inner neck surface 25 at 3S and 36 respectively. The contacting surface areas of the tubes 33 and 34 and neck 23 may be modified to improve the anchoring of tubes 33 and 34 within the neck 23.

It is contemplated that the entire assembly of element 18, neck 23 and spout tubes 33 and 34 may be formed as an integral unit of molded plastic.

As a result of the foregoing the two collapsible inner containers 12 and 13, particularly when empty, are effectively suspended within the interior of non-collapsible outer container 11 by the rigid spout tubes 33 and 34.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the inner surface of outer container 11 is coated, as by spraying, with an adhesive at 37 which is pressure sensitive, slow drying or both. This adhesive coating is applied to container surface 15 in any event before the inner containers are inesrted. In practice it has been found efficient to rigidly assemble top 18 with neck 23 and then anchor within neck 23 the tubes 33 and 34 already sealed to the collapsible empty inner containers. Then the top 18 is placed over the upper end of outer container wall 14, which already has bottom wall 16 crimped onto it, and crimped over at 19 to secure all of the containers in operative condition ready for filling of the inner containers. Preferably adhesive 37 is sprayed onto wall surface 15 just prior to this attachment of top 18 so that the adhesive will be fresh and not yet set at the time the inner containers are filled.

tainer,

The collapsed empty inner containers are now filled with different liquids introduced through tubes 33 and 34 after the foregoing assembly, and as the containers 12 an-d 13 become filled they expand to occupy the volume of the space enclosed by wall 14, with their expansion conned mainly by bottom 16, side wall 14 and contact with each other. The different fluids are preferably simultaneously introduced into tubes 33 and 34 for best results.

As shown in FIGURE 2, assuming that the diiferent liquids enter the containers 12 and 13 in about equal amounts at the same time, the containers 12 and 13 will till out to contact each other along a relatively straight non-adhesive interface as at 38, and their oppositely curved outer surfaces will snugly engage and conform like a lining to the contour of surface where adhesive 37 acts to attach the respective containers 12 and 13 to container 11.

While the weights of liquid and pressures of filling may be adequate to secure suiiicient pressure to produce full surface adhesive bonding of the relatively thin inner container walls to the outer container wall 14, this bonding can be increased by added fluid pressure applied through the spout tubes.

In some instances it may be desirable to first apply fluid pressure through both spout tubes to fully expand the inner containers into bonded contact and assembly with the outer wall 14, prior to iilling with the different liquids. This could eliminate the possibility of Wrinkles or folds forming during filling, and could make filling easier.

In any event whenever the inner containers are expanded into adhesively attached engagement with the outer container wall, the adhesive attachment holds the containers in this condition at all times thereafter, as during packaging, shipping and use. There is no relative shifting of containers 12 and 13 at any time.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, after the containers are filled, a dispensing orifice plate 41 may be secured across the top of neck 23, blocking tubes 33 and 34 but having discharge oriiices 42 and 43 of different size aligned with the respective tubes to relatively proportion the different liquids discharged for optimum interaction. An air passage 44 is also preferably Aprovided to facilitate dispensing.

Instead of providing orifices 42 and 43 of ditferent size it is within the scope of the invention to eliminate plate 41 and make spout tubes 33 and 34 of such different internal diameter as to properly ratio the dispensed liquids and/or powders.

In use the cap 26 is removed and the dispensing package inverted. The fluid contents of both inner containers discharge at the same time through the spout tubes, the inner containers remaining bonded to the outer container wall.

If desired the spout tubes 33 and 34 could be integral formations with the neck 23, :similarly to the integral arrangement to be later described herein for FIGURE 6.

While I have disclosed as :the preferred embodiment two equal sized inner containers suspended from the neck, obviously three or more inner containers could be provided all suspended from the neck.

Also the` invention may be employed using a single collapsible inner container, wherein an initially applied pressure or the pressure of the contents bonds the inner container walls lto effectively line the rigid outer con- This is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein the top of the outer container is illustrated as an integral molded lplastic part 50 which has an outer rim 51 secured to the top edge of wall 14 and a central tubular structure providing a threaded neck 52 and a spout tube 53 that extends into and is sealed with the single collapsible inner Container 54.

Also the invention contemplates a plurality of concentric inner containers as shown in FIGURE 6. Here 4. the top element 55 of the outer container is peripherally secured at 56 to the upper edge of tubular wall 14, and it has an integral threaded neck section at 5'7. A rigid polyethylene spout tube 58, fixed centrally within the neck 57 as by radial webs 59, extends into and is sealed with a central collapsible polyethylene inner container 61.

Container 61 is surrounded by an annular collapsible container 62 which has a flexible conduit 63 sealed onto the top element 55 at the lower end of a passage 64 integrally formed through the neck.

In this embodiment only the annular outer iilled con- .tainer 62 bon-ds to the outer container when its outer periphery is attached by adhesive 37, but inner container 61 is supported against any relative movement by reason of the closely surrounding annular inner container 62.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character- -istics therefor. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore r intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A dispensing package comprising a relatively rigid outer container closed at the bottom and provided with a top assembly having a preformed spout passage therethrough, a thin-walled normally collapsible inner container, cooperating means on said top assembly at the inner end of said passage and on said inner container for suspending the inner container when empty Within said outer container, and adhesive means for substantially permanently bonding together coextensive Wall areas of said containers that are brought into surface contact when the inner container is expanded to filled condition.

2. In the dispensing package defined in claim 1, said adhesive means comprising a coating of adhesive material on the inner surface of the outer container wall.

3. In the dispensing package defined in claim 1, said passage being formed through an integral portion of the top assembly.

4. In the dispensing package deiined in claim 1, said top assembly having an opening, and said passage being in a relatively rigid tube fixed to said top assembly Within the opening and having sealed entry into said inner container.

5. A multi-compartment dispensing package comprising a stiff-walled outer container closed at the bottom and having a top assembly, spout means forming a plurality of separate pasasges through said top assembly, a plurality of preformed normally collapsible inner containers disposed side by side within the outer container, means suspending each inner container when empty from the top assembly in sealed relation to the open inner end of one of said passages, and adhesive means for permanently bonding lconformably contacting wall areas of said inner containers and the outer container when said inner containers are expanded to filled condition.

6. In the dispensing package dened in claim 5, one of said inner containers being annular with its entire outer wall bonded to the outer container, and the other inner container being closely surrounded by said one inner container.

7. `In the dispensing package defined in claim 5, said passages being of different cross-section for proportionate discharge of the contents of said inner containers.

8. A multi-compartment dispensing package comprising a non-collapsible outer container closed at the bottom and having a top assembly provided with an opening,

two relatively stiif spout tubes secured within said opening and having their open inner ends disposed within `the inner container, a pair of preformed normally collapsible side by side inner containers each closed except for an opening sealably receiving the inner end of one of said spout tubes, and adhesive means coating the interior of said outer container for bonding contacting Wall areas of the inner and outer containers when said inner containers are expanded as by filling.

9. In the dispensing package defined in claim 8, said top assembly having a neck section defining said opening, and said spout tubes being rigid with said neck section.

10. In the dispensing package dened in claim 8, said tubes being integral with said top assembly.

11. A multi-compartment dispenser package comprising an outer container having a stiff tubular side Wall closed at the bottom and provided with a top assembly comprising a stiff annuluar position secured upon the upper edge of said side wall and provided with a central open neck portion, a plurality of relatively stil spout tubes Xed Within said neck opening with their inner open ends disposed Within the outer container, a plurality of ilexible thin-Walled side by side preformed inner containers each sealingly attached to the inner end of a spout tube, and a coating of adhesive on the interior of said iside Wall for bonding thereto contacting wall areas of the inner containers.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,698,404 1/29 Hopkins 222-94 2,438,906 4/48 Elsas et al. 222-129 X 2,532,871 12/50 Wagner 53-141 X 2,661,870 12/53 Huenergardt 222-129 2,661,871 12/53 Huenergardt 222-129 2,711,985 6/55 Olson 156-287 X 2,714,974 8/55 Sawyer 222-94 2,730,480 1/56 Brown 156-294 2,766,161 10/56 Hogopian et al. 156-294 2,872,766 2/59 Meissner 53-140 X 2,917,197 12/59 Glover et al 222-183 X 2,973,883 3/ 61 Modderno 222-94 2,994,359 8/61 Westbrook et al. 156-294 3,045,925 7/62 Giangualano 222-129 X 3,078,018 2/63 Galloway 222-183 3,092,939 6/63 Welty et al. 53-27 3,112,047 11/ 63 Weinreich et al 222-183 X RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSING PACKAGE COMPRISING A RELATIVELY RIGID OUTER CONTAINER CLOSED AT THE BOTTOM AND PROVIDED WITH A TOP ASSEMBLY HAVING A PREFORMED SPOUT PASSAGE THERETHROUGH, A THIN-WALLED NORMALLY COLLAPSIBLE INNER CONTAINER, COOPERATING MEANS ON SAID TOP ASSEMBLY AT THE INNER END OF SAID PASSAGEAND ON SAID INNER CONTAINER FOR SUSPENDING THE INNER CONTAINER WHEN EMPTY WITHIN SAID OUTER CONTAINER, AND ADHESIVE MEANS FOR SUBSTANTIALLY PERMANENTLY BONDING TOGETHER COEXTENSIVE WALL AREAS OF SAID CONTAINER THAT ARE BROUGHT INTO SURFACE CONTACT WHEN THE INNER CONTAINER IS EXPANDED TO FILLED CONDITION. 